Donna Madsen Williamson

Donna Isabel Madsen Williamson, 92 years young, was born in the covenant to Richard William Madsen Jr. and Lucile Ballard on April 7, 1931, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the 4th daughter and last child in the family of five children.

Donna passed away peacefully on Monday, December 11, 2023. Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, December 19th at Noon at the Cottonwood 5th Ward located at 5913 South Highland Drive, Holladay, Utah. A visitation will be held at 10:30 am. The Burial will take place in the Salt Lake City Cemetery after the service.

In her youth Donna was taught the gospel of Jesus Christ by her parents, she never doubted its truthfulness. Donna has a strong testimony of the Savior. Throughout her life, she was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Donna served in various callings, such as Junior Sunday School President, Primary President, and as the Young Women's President as her health would allow.

Donna grew up and lived her entire life on the same acreage. She loved living on the property, landscaping it with trees and shrubs that allowed for open spaces for her children and grandchild to play. She loved watching the wildlife that entered her yard in every season.

Donna loved and enjoyed the company of animals, as a child, her best friend was a pony named Laddie. Donna enjoyed being with her father and checking on his prize cattle. She especially loved dogs, and enjoyed their company throughout her life.

Donna was an excellent student. She excelled in learning and achieved the highest grades at Holladay Elementary School, Olympus Junior High, Granite High School. At the University of Utah (where she majored in History and English) she graduated with honors. Later, she attended Graduate School at BYU. Donna never got less than an A in any class.

In 1950, she met the love of her life, Duncan J. Williamson, at the time he was a senior and she was beginning her freshman year at the University of Utah. Their friendship and love for each other grew. That Christmas Donna asked for skis so she could go skiing with Duncan.

Donna insisted that she would only marry a returned missionary and waited patiently while Duncan served a full time mission in the Netherlands and in Belgium for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Duncan was home from his mission for a week when he was drafted to serve in the Korean War. During this long five year wait Donna and Duncan wrote to each other every day. They were married for time and all eternity by President David O. McKay on June 17, 1955, in the Salt Lake Temple.

Donna and Duncan loved being in nature. She enjoyed skiing, snowshoeing, picnicking, and camping with her husband and children. She supported Duncan in his calling as a Scoutmaster for many years even though she knew that she would spend a lot of time by herself.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her granddaughter, Marie Williamson; her brother, Richard W Madsen III (Dick) and sister in law Ruth; sister, Mary Ellsworth and brother in law Homer; sister, Patricia (Pat) Madsen; and brother in law Harold Hulme; her sister in law, Lois Williamson Calder and brother in law Vance Calder.

She is survived by the love of her life and husband of over 68 years Duncan J Williamson; Daughter Debra M. Williamson; Son Duncan Mark Williamson; daughter in law Jill Williamson; Grandson Duncan Peter Williamson and his wife Rebekah Williamson; as well as her older sister Gloria Joyce Madsen Hulme.

Donna was a valiant determined woman who always did her best in everything that she attempted to do. She endured to the end with faith, determination and dedication to God, she demonstrated empathy and compassion for all she knew; she has, and always will have, timeless and eternal love for her beloved Duncan, her children, grandchildren and all members of her eternal family.